Sex Assault Suspect Makes Plea Deal

Crystal Lake — A 37-year-old landscape worker pleaded guilty in McHenry County Circuit Court on Wednesday to assaulting a local woman last year while giving her a ride home from a bar.

Robert G. Jenkins, of 2812 Walnut St., Wonder Lake, pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated battery, which carries a possible prison sentence of two to five years, and unlawful restraint, which carries a maximum penalty of one to three years.

By pleading guilty to the lesser charges, Jenkins avoided a possible sentence of 4 to 15 years for criminal sexual assault.

Assistant State's Atty. Ronald Inderbitzin said Jenkins met the 26-year-old grocery store employee in downtown Crystal Lake on May 28, 1994. After having drinks at a bar, Jenkins parked his van about a block from the woman's home and assaulted her, Inderbitzin said.

Jenkins maintained the sexual encounter was consensual. He pleaded guilty to aggravated battery for grabbing the woman around the head and holding her by the hair. He also pleaded guilty to refusing to let her out of his van.